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These Plantation Chews look quite innocent, don’t they? They look very plain and uninteresting just sitting there on the plate. Trust me, they are anything but plain and uninteresting; they are, in a word, amazing.

This is probably my favourite cookie of all time. I have loved them ever since that first crispy, chewy, caramel-y bite decades ago at Auntie Crae’s Bakery in Churchill Square.

Auntie Crae’s Plantation Chews

The owner, Janet Kelly, later moved the store to Water Street here in St. John’s but sadly for so many folks, closed the business upon her retirement in 2010.

Finding the Plantation Chews recipe.

Fast forward to last week when a reader emailed me asking if I had a copy of the recipe for Plantation Chews. She had heard was being given out freely in the final days of the bakery’s operation.

I got excited at the prospect of being able to make batches of my favourite cookie at home. When I immediately posed the question on our Facebook page, within minutes, it seemed, the recipe was in my inbox!

Spouse whipped up this batch a couple of days later and they were perfect! They were exactly as I remember them as created by the very capable bakers at Auntie Crae’s.

I think I ate 6 in the first hour! I don’t ever remember being so happy to receive any recipe. You just have to try these.

The recipe below is exactly as I received it but I have successfully used butter instead of margarine, which I never use in baking. I often use pecans instead of walnuts too.

I’ve also made a gluten free version simply by substituting gluten- free corn flakes. Since there’s no flour in the recipe anyway this is a very easy way to make cookies that simply EVERYONE will love!

2019 Plantation Chews Update.

In corresponding with Janet, who kindly let me add this recipe to my new Rock Recipes Cookies Cookbook, she confirmed that she now uses butter at home when baking these.

Changes in the rules regarding margarine formulation, leave these a bit risky to try with margarine nowadays, she advises. Having used butter successfully myself on many occasions, that is what I now recommend as well.

The recipe has been changed to reflect the update.

Like this Auntie Crae’s Palantation Chews recipe?

Be sure to browse the photo index of over 200 cookie and cookie bar recipes is in our expansiveCookies Category.

Scoop out cookies (a little smaller than a ping pong ball) and place on cookie sheet that is either Teflon coated or lined with parchment paper. Parchment (silicone) paper is your best choice. Do not grease pan.

Flatten cookies with finger tips that are slightly moistened. The moisture will prevent your fingers from sticking to dough as you flatten the cookie dough.

Bake at about 350 F for 6 minutes. Rotate pan (front to back) to distribute heat and then bake a further 6 minutes. Remove from oven and leave on pan until stiff enough to handle. They will be very soft when they first come out of the oven.

You may need to alter the baking time and temperature of your oven if you do not get a satisfactory result. No two ovens bake the same, even if you have clones.

Recipe Notes

A gluten free version is possible if you use gluten free corn flakes.Finely ground pecans instead of walnuts are also excellent in this recipe.

The nutritional information provided is automatically calculated by third party software and is meant as a guideline only. Exact accuracy is not guaranteed. For recipes where all ingredients may not be used entirely, such as those with coatings on meats, or with sauces or dressings for example, calorie & nutritional values per serving will likely be somewhat lower than indicated.

Nutrition Facts

Auntie Crae’s Plantation Chews

Amount Per Serving (1 cookie)

Calories 135Calories from Fat 54

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 6g9%

Saturated Fat 2g10%

Cholesterol 15mg5%

Sodium 61mg3%

Potassium 59mg2%

Total Carbohydrates 18g6%

Sugars 14g

Protein 1g2%

Vitamin A3%

Vitamin C0.9%

Calcium1.9%

Iron6.8%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Reader Interactions

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Thanks for sharing this, Barry. You are absolutely right about how deceptively plain they look – my fav Auntie Crae cookie. I’ve only had the commercial recipe (they kindly gave it to me when I asked for the recipe many years ago), where all the ingredients are by weight and makes a zillion cookies. Thanks for this more manageable version 🙂

How many cookies does this recipe make? Do you think I could freeze the dough balls to bake in future(only two of us here)? Also, I saw walnut crumbs at bulk store and they are not the same as ground – they are finely chopped. Thanks.

Barry, Barry, Barry……just made these awesome cookies. I must say, I was skeptical about the and margarine becoming “fluffy” simply because of the racial. I decided to behave and follow directions. Well “THAT” paid off. Then I was skeptical about the beating time….again I was pleasantly surprised, but the pay off was the delicious cookie (the batter was insane too 🙂 Just one question. Mine is a little flat and still quite soft even after they cooled. Should they be like that? I’m not complaining, just wanna make sure I do this recipe justice. Thank you so much for this recipe.

Ah shucks! You sound almost as happy as I did to find this recipe. I ate countless numbers of them from Auntie Crae’s when it was open. Say hi to the crowd at the Registrar’s Office at MUN of you’re down there. It’s my old stompin’ grounds.

Made these cookies today and they were fantastic-so chewy and delicious.Enjoy reading your comments on how to make the recipes.My printer has been going steady all day printing out your wonderful recipes.Thankyou so much for sharing them with everyone! Looking forward to making your Toad in the Hole,and apple turnovers….Have a wonderful day and happy cooking to you.

Thank you so very much for this amazing recipe. My oldest son (26 yrs old) fell in love with Plantation Chewsfrom our favorite Family owned and run Bakery. He asked me if I could fin the Recipe since they wouldn’t give me the recipe. They came out wonderful tasting and looking like the ones from the Bakery ❣️My one question is can you freeze them? I noticed that the Bakery keeps them in the refrigerator or freezer until they sell out the ones in the display. Since my son lives over 5 miles away, I was hoping I could freeze them either until we can go see him again or send him a Care package.
Thank you again for putting this anazing cookie recipe. I look forward to seeing your reply.
Marlys

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Hi, I'm Barry. I'm Dad to 2 amazing kids, author of 3 best-selling cookbooks, a freelance food writer & full time blogger. My lifetime love of cooking & baking has led me to share over 1600 recipes on this blog over the last 10 years. Come back often, there's always great new food & recipes coming out of my St. John's, Newfoundland kitchen!

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